Kocharian Sends Condolences to British PM after London Bombings

The Arka News Agency reports that the Armenian President, Robert Kocharian, has sent his condolences to the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, after this week's terrorist attack on London.

"We understand that these barbaric activities were directed against the whole of humanity and condemn terrorism in all kinds of its disposition. Please, accept profound condolences on behalf of the whole Armenian nation and personally from me."

© Edmond Terakopian, AP, 2005/07/07

In related news, PanArmenian.net reports that the Armenian Defense Minister, Serzh Sarkisyan, says that it is unlikely that Armenia will ever become a target for international terrorists.

When commenting on the statement spread by the “Secret Organization of al Qaeda in Europe," which contained threat for the crusader-states, Serge Sargsian said “Armenia has never considered itself to be a crusader-state. He also stated that the law enforcers keep the situation under control and noted the importance of Armenia's participation in the anti-terror coalition.

Even so, a few months before 9/11, security at the U.S. Embassy in Armenia had been stepped up and the new British Embassy in Yerevan has also been built like a fortress. The problem is that nobody ever seems to know where terrorists are going to strike next. Certainly, the embassies and other international missions here have been taking security very seriously for many years.

Anyway, one of my friends in London, Edmond Terakopian, another British citizen of Armenian descent, is busy photographing the tragedy for Associated Press. In his last email to me sent yesterday, he sounds exhausted. I have to be honest and say that this is one time I'm glad I'm not back home.

Tag: armenia | london | london explosions | terrorism

antitrafficking.am

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia has announced the launch of an updated anti-trafficking web site, http://www.antitrafficking.am. It is targeted towards the dissemination of information internally to Armenia and is only available in Armenian.

The website provides general information on trafficking, overview of the situation internationally and locally, relevant international and domestic legislation, description of actions undertaken by the Armenian authorities, local and international organisations to combat trafficking in Armenia. The web resource features a News section, links to partner organisations, video materials (public service announcements), Feedback and Poll, where visitors can answer various questions on trafficking. The website is constantly being updated with up-to-date information on efforts to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute traffickers in Armenia.

It's a pity that there is no English and/or Russian version of the site so that others can monitor what the situation is in Armenia. However, for that, I'm sure the work of Edik Baghdasarian and Ara Manoogian at Hetq, as well as Arpine Harutyunyan at ArmeniaNow.com, can fulfill that need. Talking of Ara Manoogian, the US citizen of Armenian descent who now lives in Nagorno Karabagh has some harsh words on the government's anti-trafficking "efforts" over at Martuni or Bust.

The information we had right after Lucine arrived to Armenia was that she visited with the prosecutor’s office and paid a $150,000 bribe to clear her “debts.”

Last years trial of mother pimp Nano and her gang at least put them behind bars for a few months, probably because for the 5 traffickers, they only paid $300,000 to the prosecutor’s office ($60,000 each).

[...]

Though I was hoping that this time the prosecutor’s office would do the right thing, I’m glad they showed their true colors and did what they do best and that is to help criminals like themselves continue to commit crimes against our people.

Ara's blog can be found online here.

Tag: armenia | trafficking | uae | dubai | corruption

UNICEF Book Ready

Finally, although I think I've said that before, the book I wrote, photographed, illustrated and designed for UNICEF in Armenia is now ready for printing. Despite two power cuts today, I managed to get the final version of the artwork to the printhouse in Yerevan this afternoon. If we're lucky, the book will be available from UNICEF for potential donors after 16 July. If not, it will definitely be ready at the beginning of August. Some of the articles from the book can be read in the journalism section of my website.

This is my second book this year, following on from Armenia: Poverty, Transition & Democracy which was published by the US/UK Gomidas Institute in January. Although there has been little to no interest from the Diaspora, I'm glad to say that it has been well received by the heads of various international organizations and NGOs such as Lise Grande, residential representative of the United Nations in Armenia, Sheldon Yett, representative of UNICEF in Armenia, Brian Kearney, Chief of Party of the Armenian Social Transition Program (ASTP) - PADCO, as well as Amalia Kostanyan, Chairperson of Transparency International in Armenia.

And if she's reading this blog, I haven't forgotten Sona Ayvazian, the Environmental Policy Expert / Project Director of CRD/TI and yes, Sona, I will definitely get you that second copy of the book this week! BTW: Your involvement in the recent Shikahogh campaign was impressive and I'm glad that people concerned about the rule of law and environmental protection finally won.

And with that, as I've got one article to write for UNICEF as well as some editing work to finish off, this might be the last blog I make until Monday. Then again, blogging is so damn addictive that you never know. Depends what happens over the weekend.

Tag: armenia | books

U.S. Continues Large Scale Assistance to Armenia

Emil Danielyan again writes for the Jamestown Foundation's Eurasia Daily Monitor but this time on U.S. assistance to Armenia. While the U.S. Government has declared that financial assistance to countries such as Armenia is reliant on democratic progress, even George W. Bush has to contend with the powerful clout of the Armenian Diaspora.

Reflecting the influence of the Armenian community in the United States, the U.S. Congress is blocking yet another attempt by the White House to sizably cut long-running American assistance to Armenia. The small South Caucasus state is thus due to remain one of the world's leading per-capita recipients of U.S. economic aid, more than $1.6 billion since 1992.

[...]

The Bush administration clearly had to reckon with the Armenian community's clout when it included Armenia last year in the list of 17 developing nations eligible for additional multimillion-dollar assistance under Washington's Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) program. Neighboring Georgia was the only other ex-Soviet state selected for the scheme, which is designed to promote political and economic reform around the world.

Georgia is increasingly emerging as a U.S. bulwark in the South Caucasus, due to its new leadership's pro-Western foreign policy. Still, it may get less American economic aid in 2006 than Armenia, which continues to be seen as Russia's key regional ally. Furthermore, close defense links with Moscow have not prevented Yerevan from securing over $20 million in U.S. military assistance since 2002. It is expected to make up at least $5.75 million in fiscal year 2006.

The full article can be read here.

In related news, Emil writes for Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty that Kirk Kerkorian, the U.S. billionaire of Armenian descent is set to give Armenia $60 million for infrastructure projects in Armenia. To date, Kerkorian has given in excess of $150 million to the government although many NGOs and investigative journalists involved in monitoring corruption in Armenia allege that only part of that money is actually spent.

Kerkorian’s decision to continue his multimillion-dollar assistance to Armenia was for months anticipated by the country’s cash-strapped government. It was announced less than two months after the reclusive tycoon’s unexpected visit to Yerevan during which he met President Robert Kocharian and received Armenia’s highest state award from the latter.

Kerkorian also inspected streets in the city center and roads outside it that were rebuilt with his money. He was reportedly satisfied with what he saw.

According to one activist, however, Kerkorian's Lincy Foundation has even stated in private that as long as some of the money is spent, they're happy. Not sure I buy into that argument. Think just how much progress there could be if transparency and accountability were in place.

While that article can be read here, the Armenian government can still manage to ruffle a few feathers. In another article co-penned by Danielyan, the World Bank is reported to be furious with news that the Armenian electricity distribution network has been sold to a state-run Russian company.

The normally reserved World Bank official was visibly angry as he commented on the uncertainty surrounding the fate of one of Armenia’s largest and most profitable companies. “Has the formal process of requesting permission and receiving approval from the government of Armenia and the Public Service Regulatory Commission gone on?” he asked. “To my knowledge, no.”

“Any change in the beneficial ownership of ENA has to be approved by the government of Armenia and the Public Service Regulatory Commission,” Robinson stressed. “If you have a law, follow the law. If you have a license agreement, follow the license agreement. And let’s do this in an open and transparent way.”

Seems like I'm not the only one fed up with waiting for the law to actually function in Armenia, believing that accountability and transparency is sorely needed in the country. The article can be read here.

Tag: armenia | corruption | democracy

Armenia Now Roundup

The weekly online magazine, Armenianow.com, has two articles of particular note this week. The former Hetq Online trainee and now ArmeniaNow.com staff reporter, Arpine Harutyunyan, writes on trafficking, but with a twist. As we know, although generally forget, trafficking is not just about sex. It's also about illegal migration, illegaly working abroad, international adoption and it can also affect men.

And while the stories in Vanadzor grew more fanciful that Arthur got married, he was bed-ridden through illness; he couldn’t get his salary to return to Armenia.

In fact, 40-year-old Arthur Aloyan was a victim of trafficking in Ufa, the capital of Bashkortostan (a republic in the East of Russia’s European part). Forced labor is defined by the United Nations as one form of trafficking under a protocol adopted in 2000 that also covers exploitation through prostitution, slavery, and the trade in human organs.

[...]

By late 2002, Arthur left for Ufa with 39 other men from Vandzor, including his brother-in-law Arman and his friend Georgy Gevorgyan, all hoping to be able to send money home. But the doors of slavery opened before them when they arrived.

“They took our passports away at the very beginning to put us under their total control. They made us work from morning till late night and didn’t give us a penny. We ate only macaroni, and slept in cold and wet rooms on bare beds. People say they kept us like slaves,” recalls Arthur.

http://www.armenianow.com/eng/?go=pub&id=1072

Of as much concern, and as I blogged earlier, the Human Rights Ombudsperson (at last, a publication that is politically correct), Larissa Alaverdyan, is facing significant pressure against her office. Although considered impotent because she was a presidential appointee, her firm stand on a number of issues has incurred the wrath of many in government, including the president. Thankfully, however, a number of others are jumping to her defense.

Vazgen Manukyan, chairman of the National Democratic Union (NDU) declared: “Knowing Robert Kocharyan well I can say that he does not tolerate the disobedience of subordinates. In reality, the authorities committed infringements against the institution of the Ombudsperson and everybody.”

On June 16, John Evans, the United States Ambassador to Armenia, visited the Ombudsperson’s Office and presented it with a computer, saying that he would support her activities. Ambassadors of European countries met Alaverdyan at the French Embassy on June 24 and expressed their solidarity with her.

http://www.armenianow.com/eng/?go=pub&id=1070

Other stories from ArmeniaNow.com can be accessed through the main page.

Tag: armenia | democracy | human rights | trafficking

Being Yezidi

A Moslem Kurd helps a young Yezidi girl prepare for an event in Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia

Yannis, who describes himself as "as a foreigner in an ex-soviet country of transition" has very kindly linked to an article I wrote on the division within the Yezidi minority in Armenia for Transitions Online last year.

The Yezidi community is the largest ethnic minority in Armenia even though it numbers just a few tens of thousands of adherents. Although their precise number worldwide is unknown, the followers of this ancient religion are spread throughout Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and, as recent immigrants and refugees, Germany.

Widely misconceived as "devil worship," Yezidism in fact combines elements from Zoroastrianism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Yet despite the widespread belief that they are also ethnic Kurds who resisted pressure to convert to Islam, there have been attempts in Armenia to identify the Yezidis as a separate ethnic group since the last years of Soviet rule.

Soviet-style demography, which determined communal identity based on language and largely ignored religion, identified the Yezidis and Muslim Kurds living in Armenia together as members of the same ethnic group. But by 1988, during the period of glasnost, some of Armenia's Yezidi religious and political leaders began to challenge this notion and the "Yezidi Movement" was formed.

Coincidentally, I met with a visiting British Lecturer in Kurdish from INALCO in Paris yesterday. She is in Yerevan to research the oral history traditions of the Yezidi minority in Armenia and, after reading my work on the Yezidi minority since 1998, wanted to speak to me specifically about this issue. Also coincidentally, I have to write a long-overdue article for UNICEF on the subject of national minority education in Armenia.

And it is language that might prove to be the most vexing problem facing the community in Armenia. According to Hranush Kharatyan, head of the government's department for national minorities and religious affairs, so significant is the issue that it is now "the most actual problem existing among national minorities in Armenia."

When the Armenian government considered ratifying Kurmanji as the name for the language spoken by the Yezidis and Kurds, for example, emotions ran high and Kharatyan says she was accused and threatened by both sides. In particular, she says, Yezidi spiritual leaders demanded that their language instead be classified as "Yezidi" even if in private they acknowledge that it is Kurmanji.

Unable to satisfy both sides of the community, the government ratified both Yezidi and Kurdish under the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. Although there is a sizeable but still-unknown number of Yezidis who consider themselves Kurds, there are just as many who do not. As a result, says Kharatyan, the government was right not to come down on one side or the other.

Not surprisingly, the division within the Yezidi minority, and especially in the area of language, has once again raised its head. That article will probably be available sometime next week so until then, the article I wrote for Transitions Online can be read online here. There's also a photo story in Macromedia Flash I shot at a recent Yezidi event here.

Tag: armenia

London Blast by Edmond Terakopian

Just found this photo from yesterday's terrorist attack in London by my good friend, Edmond Terakopian, on The Guardian web site. After emailing people I know from when I lived in London, I'm glad to say that none were caught in the blasts. Unfortunately, however, Edmond has never been busier shooting for AP. It's probably an assignment he could have done without.

Another friend, an academic in London, wrote me an email from which I think this is the most poignant part:

My first reaction was: it's ordinary people that get caught up in this shit. The no. 30 bus comes from the East End into town and would have been full of East End working folk. Not soldiers, not politicians, not big shots; probably plenty of blacks and Asians, old and young, all shafted.

Incidentally, Edmond's web site, which I put together, can be found online here

Massive hunt for London bombers

The BBC reports that "A massive intelligence investigation is under way to find those responsible for the bomb attacks in London which killed at least 37 and left 700 injured."

As always, full coverage can be read online here.

More Diasporan Myopia?

The Christian Youth Mission to Armenia have posted a blog by Diasporan Armenians volunteering in the Republic. Lovely idea. Unfortunately, however, incredibly naieve. I can forgive them that, of course, straight off the plane and blinded by the sight of Ararat on a clear day. What I can't forgive, however, is that my comments on one blog do not appear and I am now on "moderation." Again, fine if I had been offensive but instead I pointed out how they were wrong. The reason was a blog by Anahid Ovanessoff, a member of the CYMA Executive Committee, on the health sector in Armenia.

The nurses with whom I work, only make $55 a month…A MONTH!!… and they work longer hours and more days than the nurses in America… some of their shifts being from 9 am one day till 5 pm the next day…most of them working 5 or more days a week. Regardless, I really feel like the people here try not to dwell on the fact that they have such hardships and instead appreciate life, taking into account the wonderful things that they do have.

Sorry to burst your bubble, Anahid, but in fact, no nurse in Armenia makes only $55 a month. There is a system of “informal payments” in the medical sector that means that treatment that should be free by law isn’t. As an example, although treatment for children under the age of 7 are entitle to free treatment, it never happens. In one morning alone at a Yerevan hospital I saw 20 families pay a doctor $250 each for a 15 minute hernia operation on their children aged less than 3 years old that should be free. In half a day, over $5,000 entered the shadow economy and was distributed among the doctors and nurses as well as going higher on up in the chain.

As a result, according to official statistics, ony 1 in 3 Armenians seeks medical treatment. Of course, it’s a Catch-22 situation. If salaries are low, corruption flourishes and because it does, and as the economy is weak, the state budget can’t increase salaries in the public sector sufficiently to stamp out corruption. Incidentally, even payments that should be made end up in the shadow. Instead of going through a system of official paperwork they are paid into the hands of doctors and nurses and as a result, hospitals can not be kept in sufficient shape.

It’s a huge issue in Armenia. I recently heard of one case from an international worker here that when a local friend of his was recruited by a hospital, salary $50-100, she was then expected to pay her department head $1,000 on her first day of work. I think that gives you an indication of how much money is unofficially going through the system. Anyway, there’s an interesting document on this subject by the Armenian International Policy Research Group available for anyone to read.

In fact, the situation is well known and even made a story on RFE/RL in February.

Public healthcare, which is only partly subsidized by the state, remains effectively off limits to the majority of Armenia’s population hamstrung by poverty and especially rampant corruption among medical personnel.

Government research, backed up by anecdotal evidence, indicates that most Armenians suffering from various illnesses continue to turn to doctors as a last resort, when hospitalization becomes their only chance of survival.

The thriving practice of informal payments at virtually every government-funded hospital or policlinic means they remain reluctant to seek even those medical services that are officially free of charge. According to the most recent household survey conducted by the National Statistical Service in 2003, only one in three people with health problems visit a medical facility.

However, Anahid goes on to say how most Armenians live humble lives and it is only Americans who extravagantly flaunt their wealth. True, but she obviously has yet to see the motorcades of the oligarchs made up of Hummers, or the mansions and cafes built by government officials. Go out towards Abovian, Anahid, and take a look at Gagik Tsarukian's (AKA Dodi Gago) “palace” on the hill? Yet, every year, his businesses which include Kotayk beer, post losses. Armenia is also one of the most socially polarized countries in the world.

Up until an hour ago, I had been telling locals and the more astute Diasporans around about this blog entry I encountered this morning. I said that I don't begrudge these guys for not being able to see past their rose-tinted glasses. However, as my comments posted at 9.30am today have been effectively censored it now has to be said that this sort of approach does nobody any favors in Armenia.

If anything, at a time when international organizations and local NGOs are attempting to tackle corruption in the medical sector and tax avoidance elsewhere, it only exasperates the problem.

Hardly Christian now, is it guys?

Tag: armenia | diaspora | corruption | health

Armenian Human Rights Defender Online

A1 Plus reports that the web site of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, more commonly knowns as the Ombudsman, is now online at http://www.ombuds.am. The launch of the site comes at an interesting time with Larissa Alaverdyan, appointed by the President to the position in March 2004, coming under significant pressure to curb her powers.

In one case, the ombudsman highlighted a human rights abuse when the mayor of Yerevan auctioned off a plot of land that was still on valid lease, and the tenant’s rights had not been terminated. The mayor’s office described the ombudsman’s actions as “unconstitutional," and told her to stay away from property matters.

Alaverdian was similarly rebuffed by the legal department of the president’s office when she questioned the validity of government actions in a property dispute, when citizens’ property was forfeited and land was seized for the needs of two ambitious government construction programmes, the Northern Prospekt and Cascade in central Yerevan.

Stepan Safarian, an analyst with the Armenian Centre for Strategic and Ethnic Studies, believes that the Armenian authorities had expected their ombudsman to be more obedient and were now trying to make her so. “Whether the law was good or bad is beside the point. What matters is that Armenia got an ombudsman, who proceeded to insist on certain freedoms,” he said.

Safarian recalled how in April 2004, when an opposition demonstration was brutally dispersed by the police in central Yerevan, the ombudsman put the government in an awkward position by claiming its actions were unconstitutional and demanding an explanation from the president.

“The president appealed to the constitutional court because he did not like this new institution which could influence the routine, conveyor-belt administration of justice, making the outcome less predictable,” said Safarian.

Even so, the launch of the web site is a positive step. There's just one problem. Will citizens make appeals online when the security and confidentiality of the information they submit is now questionable? In fact, this is the case for any appeal against human rights abuses in Armenia, as Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty reported yesterday. However, that's probably the least of the Ombudsman's problems at the moment.

Alaverdian faced another embarrassment shortly afterward when one of her employees was arrested on bribery charges. Immediately after the arrest the National Security Service (NSS) controversially raided the ombudsman’s office in Yerevan and confiscated its main computer that contained information on individuals filing human rights complaints. The information is meant to be strictly confidential under Armenian law.

Alaverdian publicly condemned the NSS actions at the time. She charged the authorities are seeking to tarnish her and her agency’s reputation in retaliation for its recent criticism of last year’s government crackdown on the Armenian opposition.

BTW: It's interesting to note that although the first Human Rights Defender in Armenia is a woman, rather than refer to her as the Ombudsperson, she is still referred to as the Ombudsman.

Tag: armenia | democracy | human rights

London Hit by Terrorist Attacks

Nothing to do with Armenia, but as a British citizen who lived in London for six years before moving to Yerevan, the latest news on the terrorist attack on the capital can be found on the BBC's web site. I remember living in London at a time of IRA bomb attacks but like many others, thought that we'd never see anything like this again from any hostile group, especially with heightened security since 9/11.

Democracy Guy has just posted news that The Guardian newspaper is blogging the attacks here.

Shevardnadze Interview

Registan.net introduces us to a new interview with the former Georgian President, Eduard Shevardnadze by the english language Russian paper, Mosnews. Registan's preamble can be read online, with a link to the interview itself, here.

Tag: tbilisi | russia

Change To Come For Armenia’s Constitution?

Eurasianet also has an article on the imminent ammendment of the Armenian Constitution. Doesn't say anything new but condenses everything into a readable and understandable form. It can be read online here.

Tag: armenia | democracy | constitution

Constitution Day

5 July is Constitution Day and this year marks its 10th Anniversary in Armenia. It's a national holiday and many people were given the opportunity to work on Saturday so that they could take yesterday off as well as today. However, most of the shops around my way are still open which is pretty much normal even for New Year and Christmas (6 January). Regardless, PanArmenian.net carries congratulations to the nation from the Armenian President.

“Within the past decade our Constitution has demonstrated its viability and has pointed out the way to overcome the hardest situations. The Organic Law of our country is the major guarantor of civil accord, rule of law and stability. At this stage the process of constitutional reforms has ripened and reached its final phase. Much work has been done to that end by state bodies, political forces and specialists. We have also made international commitments thereupon. I am sure that the natural course of reforms of the Constitution is of high importance for the progress of our country.”

The Catholicos of all Armenians has also issued his address.

“On the day of the adoption of the Constitution our souls admitted the rule of the values and principles, which must bring our country to prosperity and strong state organization. We are convinced that the values of right and humanity in our society should strengthen and yield fruit as the expression of our Christian identity and traditions, as the evidence of hopes for happy future. In the course of centuries our people strived to secure and lawful life and free creation," the statement says.

Strange. I never realized constitutions had anything to do with Christianity but regardless, this year is probably more significant than its ever been with constitutional ammendments scheduled for November. The ammendments are part of the deal that clinched Armenia's accession to the Council of Europe in 2001. They were also apparently part of President Kocharian's campaign promises.

Nonetheless, there is little or no discussion in Armenian society and the process itself has been controversial to say the least. The opposition had threatened to turn the referendum on the ammendments into a vote of no confidence in the President but may back off from such an idea now that three key issues are to be incorporated into the final draft. However, the former ruling party, the Armenian Pan-National Movement (HHSh), is still very much against the changes.

Of course, the point is that it should be up to the people to decide whether the draft ammendments are passed or not rather than internal and international political forces. However, if that's the case, then there also needs to be discussion within Armenian society of which there is clearly very little. On a brighter note, however, it is promising to see that today in Vanadzor, the Helsinki Citizen's Assembly are staging an event to raise public awareness.

Studying the course of constitutional changes in the Republic of Armenia, as well as considering the constitutional reforms very important as a process directed to the formation of a democratic and legal state “Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor office” NGO appeals to all the citizens, NGOs, political parties, means of mass media, which consider their own rights and freedoms important to take part in the public action which will take place on July 5, at 13:00 in “Artsakh” park. It aims at awareness raising among Vanadzor residents on the constitutional reforms held in Armenia. During the event, the rock group “Vordan Karmir” will be present there with a concert program.

They've even held a telephone poll of 250 residents of Armenia's third largest city. The results are not encouraging. Even though today is a national holiday, over 70 per cent do not know why and when asked about the current constitution, nearly 60 per cent are unaware of their constitutional rights. More information is available on the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly of Vanadzor web site. In related news, A1 Plus reports that the former residents of what will become Northern Avenue protested outside the presidential palace before marching on the Constitutional Court.

“The Constitution does not exist. Today, by decree of the government a white genocide is perpetrated," one of the protesters said. Raffi K. Hovannisian, chairman of Heritage party and Ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan were the only officials to approach the people. They told they share the anxiety of the demonstrators and agree with their claims.

According to another report by A1 Plus, Hovannisian was one of a handful of people attending a celebration at the Constitutional Court (CC). The Chairman of the CC presented his new book, “Constitutional Culture, Lessons of History and Modern Challenges” to an audience outnumbered by those protesting outside.

Anyway, happy Constitution Day, not that anyone -- including state officials -- really knows what it means. Incidentally, Raffi Hovannisian -- the republic's first Foreign Minister and a US-born American citizen who was denied Armenian citizenship until recently because both the current and former president fear his potential political clout -- has launched his party's web site at http://www.heritage.am.

Heritage, a National Liberal Party, is national by its roots, liberal in its economic principle, and an advocate of the democratic system of governance and due process for its citizens. The party's objective is the development of Armenia as a democratic, lawful, and rights-based country that anchors its domestic and foreign policies in the nation's sovereign interest.

The English version of the Heritage web site is available here.

UPDATE: 8.41 pm

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty's Armenia Service also carries news of the tenth anniversary of the Armenian Constitution here. Unfortunately, however, the whole issue is now getting even more heavily politicized at a time when the public as well as the government show no basic understanding of what the constitution and the rule of law means. Even so, the situation is one of Armenia's own making and it is ultimately up to society to decide so let's hope someone engages them in the matter ASAP.

Tag: armenia | democracy | constitution

Carnival of the Revolutions

Oneworld Multimedia will be hosting the Carnival of Revolutions on 10 October 2005 just in time for the local elections in Armenia. Not that anything much is expected to happen here apart from increased friction in the ruling coalition but it will nevertheless make an interesting addition to the weekly roundup of democratic news from around the globe. Incidentally, this week's Carnival of Revolutions is already online over at registan.net.

Tag: armenia | democracy

Up in Vanadzor

Garo, AKA Christian Garbis, has just blogged about his frequent visits to Vanadzor, the third largest city in the Republic of Armenia that was also hit by the 1988 earthquake and which seems to have been forgotten by many people here as well as in the Diaspora who pay more attention to Yerevan, Gyumri and Spitak. Nevertheless, despite the problems, it is a nice city although of course, there are still a sizeable number of IDPs living in domiks (temporary metal containers) although not as many as there used to be.

Vanadzor is located in the Lori region, about 110 kilometers north of Yerevan, and is the third largest city in Armenia, Gyumri being the second largest. The name of the city was changed not surprisingly shortly after Armenia’s sovietization to Kirovakan, after Sergei Kirov, who was a Bolshevik revolutionary and as a Red Army soldier helped defeat the anti-Bolshevik forces in the South Caucasus back in 1920. The name was changed back to Vanadzor after independence, although the city is mainly known as Kirovakan, and people from the city are referred to as “Kirovakantsi.” There are two ways to get there from Yerevan: by way of Aparan, which is shorter, or through Dilijan via Sevan. The scenery along the latter route is spectacular to say the least, especially around Dilijan.

Anyway, despite the problems, I do like Vanadzor and have been up recently to take photographs of the Integrated Social Services Center (ISSC), to look at a model kindergarten, to visit Molokan villages outside of the city proper, and last weekend I even accompanied the kids from the Vanadzor Children's Home to Water World in Yerevan. Some things are happening up there but even so, I haven't been frequently enough to really say. Certainly, I haven't spent more than a few hours in the city which is why I'm grateful to Garo for his account.

Even so, it's always interesting for me at least to remember that Vanadzor is considered a center for human rights and contemporary popular music which means, of course, I should really go and spend more time there. Anyway, Garo's post on Vanadzor can be read online here.

Tag: armenia | vanadzor

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Discusses Karabakh

A1 Plus reports that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is holding its Parliamentary Assembly in Washington. Not surprisingly, the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh appeared to be high on the agenda.

Swedish MP Göran Lennmarker, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict, today presented his report to Heads of Delegations to the OSCE PA. The Report spells out his ideas on how to promote a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the ongoing OSCE Minsk peace process.

The conflict between the Armenians and Azerbaijanis over the region of Nagorno Karabakh broke out more than a decade ago, leaving territories occupied and resulting in displaced people living under miserable conditions on both sides. Although a ceasefire was established in 1994, the conflict remains unsolved.

Mr. Lennmarker stresses that "the conflict is not frozen. Several people are killed along the line-of-contact every year." He adds: "there is no alternative to a peaceful solution - in fact there is an urgent need to solve the conflict in order to end the personal, economic, and social suffering on both sides of this conflict."

According to Lenmarker, communication between the two parliamentary delegations within the framework of the OSCE should be encouraged. "Once a peace agreement has been finalized by the two Governments, the parliamentary dimension becomes invaluable in informing the public and in ensuring its implementation," he said. "It is of utmost importance that networks of parliamentarians already exist and stand ready to take on these tasks."

Of course, while many outside observers are reported to be encouraged by recent progress in ongoing talks between the Presidents and Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, others remain skeptical that either side has the political will to make the "painful concessions" necessary for a resolution of the conflict. From today's report by RFE/RL, this seems to be particularly evident on the Azerbaijani side.

The delegation heads blocked a long list of amendments to the resolution that were put forward by an Azerbaijani parliamentarian. They referred to Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan, demanded “unconditional withdrawal of the occupying forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan,” and urged Armenia to “stop the continuation of the settlement of civilian populations” in those areas.

It's also interesting to note that if democratic development in Armenia has stalled, opposition groups are very much involved in international processes. Artashes Geghamian, the outspoken and contraversial leader of the opposition National Unity party, for example, was also present at the Parliamentary Assembly and is quoted in the RFE/RL report.

Tag: armenia | azerbaijan | karabakh

Persisting Apathy over Constitutional Ammendments

RFE/RL reports that a new opinion poll shows that most residents of Yerevan, the Armenian capital, are unaware of the proposed ammendments to the constitution which will be put to the population in a referendum scheduled for not later than November.

Vox Populi, a private polling organization, said that only 13 percent of 624 city residents randomly interviewed last week would definitely take part in the referendum. Another 16 percent said they would likely do so, according to the survey made public at the weekend.

The reported figures are essentially identical with the findings of two other polls which Vox Populi conducted in Yerevan, home to at least one third of the country’s population, in April and October. They should be cause for serious concern for the Armenian authorities that are facing growing pressure from the Council of Europe to amend the much criticized post-Soviet constitution.

In related news, the head of the Yerevan mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is quoted by the Aravot newspaper in RFE/RL's Press Review that Armenia will "face no international sanctions if constitutional amendments drafted by its government are rejected at the planned referendum."

“If all goes well and the changes are rejected, they will have to accept the outcome,” he says.

Yeah, no kidding. Thanks, Ambassador Pryakhin. That seems to be the point and the lack of discussion in society with no attempt at encouraging public participation and debate seems to suggest that things aren't being conducted well at all.

Tag: armenia | democracy

Hetq Trafficking Update

Forgot to say that last week I signed a new contract with Hetq Online, an online publication available in English and Armenian. I'm working on a part-time contract basis to continue with the Photostory section that I introduced at the beginning of 2004. Anyway, it's additional work on top of contracts still in play with a few international organizations operating in the republic.

But, back to Hetq. In another interesting batch of articles today, Edik Baghdasarian continues with his investigation into the trafficking of women and children from Armenia. This time, however, rather than report on the inactivity and actual involvement of officials in the United Arab Emirates in the trade, Edik deals with the alleged collusion of local officials here in Armenia.

On May 25th, The Court of First Instance of the Kotayk Province, Judge Gagik Heboyan presiding, issued a decision that is a classic example of the support pimps receive in the Armenian legal system. These pimps have been selling Armenian women into sexual slavery in Dubai for years. But they are given a slap on the wrist by the courts, and released as soon as possible so they can get back to work.

This time, the court had received a request from the administration of the Abovyan prison to release notorious pimp Marietta Musayelyan before the end of her sentence. Why the prison sought an early release is anybody’s guess.

[...]

How did Judge Gagik Heboyan come to take such a favorable view of Marietta Musayelyan? That something that only he and the prison administration can answer. Who gave the order to send the case to court so quickly, and to release the pimp before she had served even half her time? The prosecutors alone could find that out, but only if they wanted to. They had fifteen days to appeal the court’s decision, but they did nothing.

According to Edik Baghdasarian, Musayelyan was wanted by Interpol while in Dubai and her surprising return to, and arrest in, Armenia was simply a ruse to get rid of the international arrest warrant. To be honest, nothing would surprise me in Armenia. Anyway, plenty of material on the phenomenon of trafficking of women and children from Armenia in the archive section of the Hetq Online web site.

Tag: armenia | trafficking | uae | dubai | corruption

Notes from the Underground

Pomegranate Seed, a new arrival from the United States, has just started a blog on her experiences in Armenia. Sounds to me like she's enjoying the peculiarities and quirks of the country already.

I thought I would have been moved out of the hotel by now-but alas! I am not, and after having "negotiated" a price with the manager, I moved into a smaller room wondering at what point I will be able to find an apartment to rent. One more time at the lovely Bass, where apparently it is "Lionel Ritchie night." The music was piping into the lounge rather loudly-so loudly in fact that I thought my windows must have been open, which prompted me to check them. Sadly, they were shut, so I gave in, and got in bed with Ritchie belting out his infamous "Hello," for the 4th time. Apparently he is really popular in Yerevan. Who knew? I was awakened several times that night by Mr. Ritchie, who was really into partying "All Night Long."

Pomegranate Seed should try and give the live band, that plays at the illegal construction called a cafe outside my apartment building, a go. It's especially unfortunate as that god awful "Nune" song has just made it into their repoitore although I think the Lionel Ritchie covers they used to play around Komitas have mercifully since been banned.

In her latest blog, Pomegranate Seed makes reference to an encounter with some Syrian guys interested in renting her their apartment. It probably sounds a little racist, although after my last posting on the babe theory in democratic revolutionary movements, I suppose I can't really accuse her of stereotyping.

Me: Syrian boys eh? What are Syrian boys doing in Armenia?

(later in the apartment with Syrian 1 and Syrian 2-the place smells like a camel just gave birth. Vasken and myself are sitting on one vomit-green couch, whose springs have mercilessly rerouted themselves into my backside; Syrian 1 and 2 are collecting the Islamic paraphernalia that dots the living room)

However, it's not the first time I've heard this. One Diasporan in Armenia told me a few months ago that many landlords now refuse to allow Iranians especially to rent apartments. On the other hand, the area I live in is full of Iranian and Syrian students studying here and obviously grateful to be in a country that is a mecca of democracy and freedom in comparison to where they come from. I've got nothing against them and have always regretted the mono-ethnic nature of Armenia.

Met an Iranian student in my local kiosk the other day. Thought she was Diasporan because she was speaking English with an American twang but it turned out she was from Tehran, is studying at the Medical University in Yerevan and is deeply upset about the recent elections in Iran. In her opinion, the albeit small but noticeable progress that had been registered in the country will now be reversed. There was an interesting related news item on RFE/RL recently on the same subject but focusing on Iranian Armenians.

For young people like Annette repatriation also represents a welcome escape from the Islamic Republic’s strict code of behavior to a more liberal and laid-back environment. “What attracts us here is freedom,” he says.

Let's see but it's exemplifies why many young Iranians are coming here, including those from the Armenian community in Tehran. No dress restrictions here, for example, and alcohol is not forbidden but interestingly, the young Iranian student I encountered still considered Armenian society to be more conservative than that in Iran although perhaps she was talking about her own class back home. She certainly didn't strike me as poor, was obviously western-educated and had already studied in Europe.

Personally, I like multi-cultural societies even though the arrival of middle eastern students with money to burn in comparison to the rest of the population has pushed rents for apartments up. It is interesting to note, however, that when I arrived in Armenia in October 1998 the first question asked by locals was, "are you from America?" As a sign that non-Armenians from Moslem countries currently outnumber Diasporans in Armenia, the first question is now usually, "Are you Iranian or Syrian?"

Anyway, I shall be looking forward to reading more of Pomegranate Seed's blogs from Armenia, Notes from the Underground, over the next few months.

Tag: armenia

Vardavar

Today was Vardavar, perhaps the most loved of all Armenia's festivals. For children, in particular, it's the one day in the year when they can throw water over each other and drench strangers foolish enough to take to the streets. All without fear of discipline from their parents and today was no exception. It was therefore hardly surprising that fewer people dared to risk walking under balconies or anywhere near areas where groups of children congregated, plastic bottles and buckets full of water in hand.



As with most festivals in Armenia, although now considered Christian, Vardavar in fact has its roots in pagan times and this variant of the festival is still carried out today by a small group of pagan Armenians. Actually, if the truth be known, most are not really pagans at all but believe that history goes back long before 301 AD when Armenians were the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as the official state religion.

The ancient Armenian pagan feast “Vartavar” was traditionally associated with the Goddess Astghik, the Goddess of Water, Beauty, Love and Fertility. The festivities associated with this religious observance of Astghik were named “Vartavar” because of the fact that Armenians offered her roses as a celebration (“vart” means “roses” in Armenian). Also, they released doves and sprinkled water on each other. Vartavar was celebrated during harvest time. It was an expression of gratitude in return for the goodness of the harvest. The prayers directed to her asked for water for the benefit of fields and fruit orchards and vineyards for the harvest. Animals were also sacrificed.

http://www.usanogh.com/articles/article.php?story_id=302

A1 Plus reports that Vardavar is celebrated 98 days after Easter, usually between 28 July 28 - 1 August, so I don't quite understand why this year it was celebrated on 3 July but never mind. And just to confuse matters, I also remember from a few years back that Vardavar is also celebrated on a different day in the north eastern Tavoush region of Armenia. Again, I'm not sure why and it probably doesn't matter anyway. It's a great day for kids although some adults don't quite get into the fun. However, I have to wonder whether or not they also drenched their elders when they were young. Probably.



There's some nice footage of Vardavar at the end of Arthur Margaryan's music video which is only a small download at http://www.oneworld.am/artur.wmv. Incidentally, I got soaked three times. Thank god my F5 is waterproof, especially as water seems to be a recurring theme of late. Last weekend I photographed the kids from the Vanadzor Children's Home visiting Water World in Yerevan.

More photos from today's Vardavar in Yerevan can be found online here.

Tag: armenia | culture

The Babe Theory of Political Movements

I know this is rather sexist so you'll have to excuse me. However, I found it quite funny. According to Willisms.com, revolutions have more chance of being peaceful and successful depending on how many pretty girls are involved. The argument goes as follows:

The babe theory of political movements essentially holds that:

Where and when there are hot babes, an exponential number of men will show up. If 100 cute girls with voluptuous bodies are protesting for freedom, you can count on a thousand men being there as well.

If sexy babes are involved in a peaceful political movement, it has a far greater chance of succeeding. If there are no good-looking women involved, the odds of a successful (and peaceful) movement fall dramatically.

Where and when alluring women are excluded from demonstrations, you can expect greater chances of strife, rioting, and failure.

On this basis, there will be no peaceful revolution in Armenia or Azerbaijan anytime soon. It's not there aren't any babes in either countries. There are lots but so far, they're obviously too sensible to want to get involved in the dirty politics of the South Caucasus.

An alternate view of the Babe Theory holds that attractive women are drawn more to successful political movements than to fringe movements. In other words, if the ideas behind a political movement has value, if the fight has a noble purpose, if it has worth, it will attract lovely young ladies, who then become the face of the movement. Women (babes), then, are discerning consumers of political movements, and when there is a worthwhile one, they buy into it whole-heartedly. Under this view of the Babe Theory, sexy women just happen to be found at successful demonstrations; the sexy women are not actually responsible for the success of the movement, babes at political rallies are but a symptom of success, an effective heuristic for prognosticating, an augury of what is to come.

The full theory can be read online here.

Tag: armenia | azerbaijan | democracy | revolution

Renaissance -- Arthur Margaryan

Hovhannes Kourghinyan's Army of God, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian

Last night was a blast. A few months ago I blogged on Blogrel about a young 22-year old rock guitarist in Armenia, Arthur Margaryan. He's studied oud and now plays lead guitar in Hovhannes Kourghinyan's new band, Army of God (photographed above - Artur Margaryan is in the background on the left). Anyway, Artur emailed me a few weeks ago asking me to come to the club to pick up a copy of his new demo CD which I did last night.

However, what really made the night a blast was the fact that the young guitarist of another Armenian band, Bambir II, was in the audience and didn't need much encouragement to join Arthur on stage for a guitar duel and improvised soloing session. Magnificent. Incredible guitar playing and quite a charismatic performance from Bambir's Narek. In fact, as a frustrated musician, i.e. talentless, and envious of anyone who can play Jimi Hendrix covers, including the solos, as a matter of habit I think these guys should have their fingers broken!

Gutted, but a fantastic night. Well recommended if you're in Yerevan this year. A video of Arthur Margaryan's guitar playing is available online at http://www.oneworld.am/artur.wmv. Incidentally, at the end of Arthur's video there's some scenes of the Armenian festival of Vardavar which happens to be today. So, time to grab my camera and take to the streets hoping not to get drenched!

Tag: armenia | music